AQUA by MSC
Mineral-enriched water created on board.
Zero single-use plastic water bottles. Crystal-clear taste.
Enhanced with magnesium and potassium for a fresh and crisp taste, it's available in both still and sparkling varieties.
AQUA by MSC is being gradually introduced across the fleet to phase out single-use plastic water bottles.
The impact of AQUA by MSC
As part of MSC Cruises commitment to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles on our ships, this new concept, AQUA by MSC, is a key part of this effort.
With the full roll-out of AQUA by MSC across our fleet, we're eliminating an average of over 4 million plastic water bottles every month.
By 2026, this will represent an annual average of more than 49 million single-use plastic water bottles cut out fleetwide, following the roll-out across all 24 MSC Cruises ships.
The impact of AQUA by MSC
Find AQUA by MSC on board
AQUA by MSC is available in a variety of convenient ways:
Main Restaurants – 1 litre glass bottles served at your table; Bars & buffets – By the glass, with refill options; Refill stations – For your reusable bottle (bring your own or purchase an MSC Cruises reusable water bottle on board).
How to enjoy it:
- With drinks package: Unlimited AQUA by MSC included.
- Without drinks package: Available for purchase by bottle, glass or refill
- All guests: Complimentary non-mineralised water by dispenser at buffets
- MSC Yacht Club: Guests will continue to receive traditional mineral water in glass bottles.
- Speciality Restaurants: traditional mineral water in glass bottles is available
Find AQUA by MSC on board
3 simple steps for drinks packages holders
-
REFILLFind an AQUA by MSC station or visit any onboard restaurant or bar.
Choose still or sparkling and fill your reusable bottle. -
REFRESHEnjoy refreshing mineral-enriched water
wherever your day takes you. -
REUSEMake unlimited refills as often as you like.
Selected stations are available 24/7.
aqua by msc FAQs
What is AQUA by MSC?
What formats does AQUA by MSC come in?
• In main restaurants – from 1L glass bottles, served by the glass by your server
• In bars and buffets – by the glass, served by your bartender. Reusable bottles refills are available at the bars upon request.
• From refill stations – at the buffet self-serve by glass or into AQUA by MSC aluminium reusable bottles or your own refillable drinks bottle.
Why has MSC done this?
How much does AQUA by MSC cost?
Guests without a drink package can buy a 1L bottle for €2 to consume in our main restaurants, or €1 to refill a 50CL bottle at the self-serve refill stations, or €0.50 for a 20 cl glass in bars and buffets
If I have a drink package do I get given an aluminum AQUA by MSC reusable bottle or do I have to bring my own refillable bottle?
Do I get to keep the aluminum reusable bottle at the end of my cruise?
What if I want traditional mineral water, not AQUA by MSC, what are my options?
While your drink package includes our premium AQUA by MSC water, we offer bottled and canned mineral water options for a 30% discount.
Please note that water will no longer be sold in plastic bottles onboard – instead, we offer alternatives for a 30% discount :
Simply ask your server, and they'll be able to assist you with your preferred option. Water will no longer be sold in plastic bottles.
Guests with a Premium Extra drink package have unlimited access to AQUA by MSC and traditional mineral water in glass bottles.
Where will refill stations be located?
You can refill your reusable bottle at several convenient locations throughout the ship.
Self-serve refill stations:
MSC World Europa - Buffet areas on decks 18 & 19
MSC Lirica - at the buffet on deck 11
Bar service:
Any bar onboard during opening hours - simply ask your bartender for a reusable bottle refill
How does this work on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve?
AQUA by MSC is not yet available on MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. We will communicate any updated information once available.
I’m booked in the MSC Yacht Club, what does this mean for me?
You will have unlimited access to AQUA by MSC in all locations. In the Top Sail Lounge and Restaurant we serve traditional mineral water from glass bottles.
What water is now in cabin minibars?
Traditional mineral water in 75 cl glass bottles and 33 cl cans is available in all minibars.
What is available at the specialty restaurants onboard?
Traditional mineral water in 75 cl glass bottles is available in all speciality restaurants.
Is there anywhere I can access free water on board?
A non-mineralized version of purified water is always available free of charge at buffets.
What’s the difference between AQUA by MSC and the free purified water available at the buffet?
AQUA by MSC is mineral-enriched with magnesium and potassium for a crisp, refreshing taste. The buffet water is purified but not mineralized.
Do you plan to roll this out fleetwide?
Yes, we're rolling this out fleet-wide. The exact timeline is still being finalized, but we're committed to implementing AQUA by MSC across all ships.
Do you plan to roll this out fleetwide?
Yes, we're rolling this out fleet-wide. The exact timeline is still being finalized, but we're committed to implementing AQUA by MSC across all ships.
I have MSC Voyagers Club status, does this affect my access to AQUA by MSC?
Voyagers Club status does not affect access to AQUA by MSC. Guests with a Drink package have unlimited access to AQUA by MSC, or guests can pay a la carte.
What if the machines break? Are you still stocking bottled water in the case of an emergency?
Yes, we have robust plans in place in case of the unlikely event of machine malfunctions or other emergency situations.
What if I don't have a drink package?
Guests without a drink package can buy a 1L bottle for €2 to consume in our main restaurants, or €1 to refill a 50cl bottle at the self-serve refill stations, or €0.50 for a 20 cl glass in bars and buffets.
How do you ensure that this is safe and hygienic?
AQUA by MSC is produced and dispensed under strict sanitation protocols approved by health authorities. All potable water on board is regularly tested, and refill stations are designed to minimise contact and ensure hygiene.
I bought the Easy Drink Package expecting bottled water. Has the value changed?
The Easy Drink Package still includes unlimited AQUA by MSC, our new mineral-enriched water. While plastic bottled water is no longer included, guests can still enjoy glass-bottled AQUA by the glass in restaurants, by the glass in bars, or refill it using personal or MSC reusable bottle. Traditional bottled mineral water is available for a 30% discount.
Is this change about saving money rather than helping the environment?
This initiative is part of our commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic waste. It also aligns with modern hospitality trends, where refillable solutions are increasingly preferred for both environmental and practical reasons.
I only drink water - should I still keep my drink package?
If your primary interest is water, you may find value in the pay-as-you-go refillable AQUA by MSC system, an AQUA package for unlimited refills (onboard sales only), or the alcohol free drink package which also includes unlimited AQUA by MSC plus soft-serve ice cream, soft drinks, juices and mocktails.
Will I need to carry a bottle everywhere?
You only need a bottle if you want to take water with you around the ship or on excursions. You're welcome to bring your own refillable bottle. Refill stations are conveniently located at buffet areas and any bar onboard. For excursions, we recommend filling your bottle before disembarking.
What about water at night or in my cabin?
AQUA by MSC is available in main restaurants, buffet, bars and at refill stations. You can fill your reusable bottle before bed or you can buy a can of water from one of the bars to take to your cabin. Traditional mineral water in 75 cl glass bottles and 33 cl cans is available in all minibars. In MSC Yacht Club suites, glass bottles of mineral water are still provided.
Has AQUA by MSC completely replaced bottled water on board?
On MSC World Europa and MSC Lirica, plastic bottled water has been phased out in favour of AQUA by MSC. In main restaurants, water is served in glass bottles; in bars and buffets, it's served by the glass. Refill stations are located:
• MSC World Europa: Buffet areas on decks 18 & 19, Luna Park Arena on deck 6, and any bar onboard
• MSC Lirica: Buffet on deck 11 and any bar onboard
What about mineral branded bottled water?
Traditional mineral water bottles are included in Premium Extra drink packages, as well as unlimited AQUA by MSC, but are no longer included in Easy, Non-Alcoholic and Minors drink packages, which only include AQUA by MSC.
However, guests may still purchase them à la carte with 30% discount.
Is sparkling water available at the refill stations?
Yes. Sparkling AQUA by MSC is available at refill stations, by the glass in bars and buffets, and in reusable glass bottles by the glass in main restaurants.
What if I want to bring my own bottled water on board?
Local authorities restrict the movement of food and drinks by cruise guests, meaning it is not possible to bring bottled water aboard with you.
Is it true that water is only served by the glass now?
AQUA by MSC is served by the glass in bars and buffets, and in 1L glass bottles served by the glass in restaurants. Guests can also use refill stations with their own bottles or MSC reusable bottles. This ensures flexibility while reducing plastic waste.
Where does the drinking water on board come from? How is it made?
The water you drink onboard MSC Cruises comes from two sources: it’s either brought onboard from ports (through bunkering process) or made fresh from seawater right here on the ship.
We make our own water using a process called desalination, which turns seawater into clean, safe freshwater. This is done in two main ways:
• Reverse Osmosis – Seawater is pushed through special filters that remove salt and other impurities.
• Evaporation – Seawater is boiled into steam, which is then cooled back into pure water, leaving the salt behind.
Over 80% of the water used on board (for drinking, cooking, showers, laundry, and more) is made this way. It’s checked and monitored 24/7 to make sure it’s always clean and safe.
How do you keep the AQUA by MSC refill stations clean and safe to use?
Our refill stations are cleaned and maintained using the same strict food safety rules we follow in our kitchens and bars. Everything is regularly sanitized to make sure it's safe, clean, and ready for use by our guests.
Is the drinking water safe?
Yes, absolutely. The water onboard is tested regularly to ensure it's high quality and safe for everyone.
• Our onboard teams thoroughly test the water every month from multiple locations in our water system.
• In addition, independent certified laboratories complete twice yearly testing in the same manner to ensure our water meets the highest safety standards.
Is AQUA by MSC safe and clean to drink?
Yes! AQUA by MSC is very safe to drink. It's made, stored, and served using strict health and safety rules approved by official health authorities. The water is tested often, and the refill stations are designed to avoid contact and keep everything hygienic.
Can MSC change what was included in my package?
We completely understand your concern about any changes to your drink package.
When you made your purchase, we committed to specific inclusions, and we honor those commitments.
If circumstances require us to adjust package contents after your purchase, we recognise this impacts our original agreement with you. In these situations, we provide you with options: you may either cancel your drink package with a full refund or accept the updated terms.
To ensure your complete satisfaction and as a gesture of goodwill, we're pleased to offer you a complimentary reusable reusable bottle that you can refill with our AQUA by MSC water throughout your cruise. This way, you'll still have convenient access to quality water wherever you go on the ship.
We're committed to doing our best to find the best solution for you and ensuring your cruise experience exceeds your expectations.
